IN YOUR OPINION

Letters to the editor, May 15, 2013

Published: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 7:55 p.m.

Don’t knock teachers

In regards to the letter “Are teachers underpaid?” the writer sounded well-educated, and I agree with him that law enforcement is underpaid. But that doesn’t give him the right to say that teachers are “destroying” our students “morally,” “academically” and “spiritually.”

A teacher taught him all those words and how to read, write, and make it through this world. He should be thanking them, not knocking them down.

I’m pretty sure a teacher didn’t destroy his morals, academics and spirituality. People do that to themselves.

Jacob Reynolds

Silver Springs

Tarnished

The tarnished image Chris Blair has put on the Marion County Sheriff’s Office is deplorable and seems to only get worse. Anyone who has followed the events since his announcement for candidacy can see his conniving ways of dodging the bullet.

From the Dan Kuhn scandal to the current news of “possible impropriety of campaign funds,” Chris Blair has managed to finagle his way out of any direct involvement.

There is only a hope that the citizens of Marion County will remember his antics when election time comes around. I have a feeling Mr. Blair should start thinking about his retirement years instead of a long tenure as sheriff. If retirement isn’t profitable, maybe Dr. Palmire can help him out with that.

Holly Williams

Ocala

The IRS weapon

So the IRS got caught targeting the political enemies of the party in power. Of course that’s an outrageous abuse of that agency’s massive power, but it’s far from the first time this kind of thing has been done.

Today’s liberals who are all too happy to see the IRS used as a weapon against the hated tea party might not remember when the shoe was on the other foot. Remember Nixon’s “enemies list”?

The point is that as long as there’s an IRS, there will be politicians of both stripes who are all too willing to use it as a weapon against the other side. That kind of abuse should outrage every American, regardless of ideology or party affiliation. We the people should simply not stand for it any longer.

There’s only one solution, and that is to get rid of the IRS once and for all. That can be done, but there’s only one way to do it — pass the Fair Tax, and pass it now. It’s simply the right thing to do.

Bob Paxton

Ocala

Diminishing America

In 1947, then-Secretary of State George C. Marshall said of President Harry S. Truman (Democrat), “With this President, politics stops at the border!”

Obviously, the current occupant of the White House doesn’t believe in these words.

For on June 3, he went to Mexico and continued his practice of attacking, blaming and lying about America on foreign soil. He first said, “America’s drug problem is causing internal problems for Mexico.” Never a word about the Mexican drug cartels that grow, ship and sell it in America.

Secondly, he said, “America is shipping guns to Mexican gangs and causing internal violence and deaths in your country.” The only two Americans who are suspected and investigated for gun-running to Mexico, via Fast and Furious, are Attorney General Eric Holder and President Obama himself. But, the president has used executive privilege to stop this investigation. Remember in 2008, he promised the most transparent administration in history?

A president who speaks against his country and countrymen on foreign soil ... I know that former President Truman was too American to even consider such behavior.

Is this the level that other Americans have lowered themselves to, by condoning this behavior by the president? More importantly, with such an attitude and leader, can we survive?

Walther A. Lamp

Ocala

Tebow mania alive

Two opinions in the May 5 Star-Banner Opinion section, “Tebow’s a winner” and “Showing grace,” both concern Tim Tebow, a Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback of two national championship teams at the University of Florida.

What else could you ask for, and what do you do with a player like that? Would you let him ride the bench like Coach Rex Ryan did for the lowly New York Jets? Ryan then says he wants to be the coach of the Jets for 20 more years — that’s with a six-win and 10-loss record this past year. I believe if Joe Namath was deceased, he would roll over in his grave if that happened.

“Broadway” Joe Namath guaranteed the Jets would beat the Baltimore Colts, and they did. That was Super Bowl III. Then came Mark Sanchez, the first-string quarterback of the New York Jets, who started and lost game after game, like 10 this past year.

The new coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Gus Bradley, says he wants no part of Tebow. So play what you have, because you have nothing but a team that were losers last year.

If Tim Tebow played football in Jacksonville they would have filled the empty seats in the stadium as the Jaguars only won two games last year— the Jets even beat them.

Coach Bradley has missed the biggest drawing card he could ask for in not taking Tebow. The reason I am sure is Bradley didn’t want a untried pro quarterback, or should I say player protecting the runner on a kickoff return and the wildcat play they seldom use.

I rest my case; the Jets and Jaguars are both losers, and will continue to be.

<p><b>Don't knock teachers</b></p><p>In regards to the letter “Are teachers underpaid?” the writer sounded well-educated, and I agree with him that law enforcement is underpaid. But that doesn't give him the right to say that teachers are “destroying” our students “morally,” “academically” and “spiritually.”</p><p>A teacher taught him all those words and how to read, write, and make it through this world. He should be thanking them, not knocking them down.</p><p>I'm pretty sure a teacher didn't destroy his morals, academics and spirituality. People do that to themselves.</p><p><i>Jacob Reynolds</p><p>Silver Springs</i></p><p><b>Tarnished</b></p><p>The tarnished image Chris Blair has put on the Marion County Sheriff's Office is deplorable and seems to only get worse. Anyone who has followed the events since his announcement for candidacy can see his conniving ways of dodging the bullet.</p><p>From the Dan Kuhn scandal to the current news of “possible impropriety of campaign funds,” Chris Blair has managed to finagle his way out of any direct involvement.</p><p>There is only a hope that the citizens of Marion County will remember his antics when election time comes around. I have a feeling Mr. Blair should start thinking about his retirement years instead of a long tenure as sheriff. If retirement isn't profitable, maybe Dr. Palmire can help him out with that.</p><p><i>Holly Williams</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>The IRS weapon</b></p><p>So the IRS got caught targeting the political enemies of the party in power. Of course that's an outrageous abuse of that agency's massive power, but it's far from the first time this kind of thing has been done.</p><p>Today's liberals who are all too happy to see the IRS used as a weapon against the hated tea party might not remember when the shoe was on the other foot. Remember Nixon's “enemies list”?</p><p>The point is that as long as there's an IRS, there will be politicians of both stripes who are all too willing to use it as a weapon against the other side. That kind of abuse should outrage every American, regardless of ideology or party affiliation. We the people should simply not stand for it any longer.</p><p>There's only one solution, and that is to get rid of the IRS once and for all. That can be done, but there's only one way to do it — pass the Fair Tax, and pass it now. It's simply the right thing to do.</p><p><i>Bob Paxton</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Diminishing America</b></p><p>In 1947, then-Secretary of State George C. Marshall said of President Harry S. Truman (Democrat), “With this President, politics stops at the border!”</p><p>Obviously, the current occupant of the White House doesn't believe in these words. </p><p>For on June 3, he went to Mexico and continued his practice of attacking, blaming and lying about America on foreign soil. He first said, “America's drug problem is causing internal problems for Mexico.” Never a word about the Mexican drug cartels that grow, ship and sell it in America. </p><p>Secondly, he said, “America is shipping guns to Mexican gangs and causing internal violence and deaths in your country.” The only two Americans who are suspected and investigated for gun-running to Mexico, via Fast and Furious, are Attorney General Eric Holder and President Obama himself. But, the president has used executive privilege to stop this investigation. Remember in 2008, he promised the most transparent administration in history?</p><p>A president who speaks against his country and countrymen on foreign soil ... I know that former President Truman was too American to even consider such behavior.</p><p>Is this the level that other Americans have lowered themselves to, by condoning this behavior by the president? More importantly, with such an attitude and leader, can we survive?</p><p><i>Walther A. Lamp</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Tebow mania alive</b></p><p>Two opinions in the May 5 Star-Banner Opinion section, “Tebow's a winner” and “Showing grace,” both concern Tim Tebow, a Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback of two national championship teams at the University of Florida.</p><p>What else could you ask for, and what do you do with a player like that? Would you let him ride the bench like Coach Rex Ryan did for the lowly New York Jets? Ryan then says he wants to be the coach of the Jets for 20 more years — that's with a six-win and 10-loss record this past year. I believe if Joe Namath was deceased, he would roll over in his grave if that happened.</p><p>“Broadway” Joe Namath guaranteed the Jets would beat the Baltimore Colts, and they did. That was Super Bowl III. Then came Mark Sanchez, the first-string quarterback of the New York Jets, who started and lost game after game, like 10 this past year.</p><p>The new coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Gus Bradley, says he wants no part of Tebow. So play what you have, because you have nothing but a team that were losers last year. </p><p>If Tim Tebow played football in Jacksonville they would have filled the empty seats in the stadium as the Jaguars only won two games last year— the Jets even beat them.</p><p>Coach Bradley has missed the biggest drawing card he could ask for in not taking Tebow. The reason I am sure is Bradley didn't want a untried pro quarterback, or should I say player protecting the runner on a kickoff return and the wildcat play they seldom use.</p><p>I rest my case; the Jets and Jaguars are both losers, and will continue to be. </p><p><i>Jerry Thompson</p><p>Anthony</i></p>